December 27th

After sending out a plea for $6,000 to help with its Christmas Clearinghouse, the JA received $7,000 in donations from the community.
Thanks to the JA’s efforts and the community’s response, almost 400 children from needy families will have a Christmas which would not have been possible without their Christmas Clearinghouse and the contributions made to the program by members of the local community.
JA Treasurer Amy Vessel said this was a very unusual year for the project with extra demands on funds.

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December 23rd

On the first day in which players at that level are eligible to sign with four-year programs, the Bulldogs signed up four highly regarded players and left head coach Jack Bicknell happier than a kid getting ready to open presents on Christmas morning.
“It’s a very good group of signees,” Bicknell said. “Everybody that we have has the potential to come right in and give us immediate help and be a part of a winning tradition for the program. I am very pleased with the junior college players we signed.”

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Jerry Drewett, the vice president for administrative services, said phase one included asbestos abatement and demolition, and the second phase included the renovation of the three floors. He said the 12th and 15th floors were cleared from asbestos and were completely gutted.
“On the 12th and 15th floor, we are completely ready for the contractor to begin,” Drewett said. “The process on the second floor should be complete when we come back from the holidays.”

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Unfortunately, statistics tell us that some of those who brave the heavy holiday traffic won’t make it to their destinations or back home.
Holiday travel is especially dangerous not only because there are more people on the roadways, but also because many motorists will push themselves further than normal in an attempt to arrive at their destination as soon as possible.
There are steps those of us who are traveling can take to help ensure we arrive safely — both at the homes of those we are visiting and at our own homes.

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Many children and teens are fired up about displaying their musical and athletic abilities in front of a large crowd. For other students, however, the programs could create a climate of stress and fear.
Whereas students on debate teams or cheerleading squads might be accustomed to speaking and moving in front of hundreds of observers, the holiday season allows performance opportunities for children who are not familiar with the spotlight.

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December 21st

The Lady Techsters (6-3) cornered their biggest win of the young 2005-2005 campaign at the Thomas Assembly Center, hustling past the newly top 25 ranked Lady Rebels 84-71 in front of 2,012 fans.
Figure on the loss likely sending the Southeastern Conference member right back into the “other teams receiving votes” category.

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The Jaycees used various businesses throughout Ruston as drop spots for the toys and collected the presents along with Green Clinic last week.
The Toys for Tots program began in 1947 as a way for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserves to collect new, unused and unwrapped toys to distribute to needy children during Christmas.
On the surface, the mission of Toys for Tots is simple. The program provides a Christmas gift or gifts to needy children who otherwise would have a disappointing Christmas.
However, the true intent goes much deeper.

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Drake Mills, Community Trust Bank’s president and chief executive officer, will serve as the board’s president — or chief volunteer officer.
Boys Club executive director Eldonta’ Osborne said while 2006 will be Mills’ first as chief volunteer officer, the two have been working together for quite some time.
“He’s been involved with the club indirectly for a number of years,” Osborne said. “He’s a big supporter of the club. This is the first year he has stepped into leadership on the board.”

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I couldn’t agree more that something needs to be done about the flood of aliens entering our country illegally. I would make some of his suggested legal changes even more stringent.
Among the proposals written by Alexander, for example, is HR 2933: Alien Gang Removal Act of 2005. That act would make an alien “deportable,” for committing or attempting to commit a gang crime or is found to be a member of a designated criminal street gang.
Well, I’m of the school that believes that everyone who is in this country illegally is automatically a candidate for immediate deportation.

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You could also add “hurry” to the mix.
It seems as if everyone’s highway speed jumps a few miles per hour this time of year. There are so many events at which we’re expected to make an appearance: office parties, Christmas plays, family get-togethers.
Every time we turn around there’s another commitment competing for a slice of our time. Before we realize it, the season has passed and we’ve never really given much thought to the true meaning of Christmas.

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